The Unteachables Podcast

The start of a new school year is always a mix of excitement and nerves (the Sunday scaries multiplied times over!!). As teachers, we’re not just thinking about lesson plans and curriculum—we’re setting the stage for a whole year of learning, growth, and relationships. What will our students be like? How will they get along? What will the dynamics be? Will they respond to me? How we kick off this journey can make a huge difference in shaping the classroom environment that we want for the year to come.Gone are the days of cringing through icebreakers and stiff introductions. This year, let’s focus on creating a welcoming space where students feel seen, heard, and ready to engage. From establishing a positive classroom culture to setting clear, collaborative expectations, and even getting ahead with parents, every action we take helps build a foundation for a successful year.So, how can we make the first days of school truly count?This episode covers my top 4 strategies that will leave your students—and you—feeling excited and optimistic about the year ahead.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

How can you set the tone for an amazing school year without resorting to icebreakers that have your students eyes rolling?In this episode, you will learn how to foster genuine connections, and create a positive classroom environment that students are eager to be part of, any day of the school year. Listen in as I explore why typical icebreakers often miss the mark and reveal criteria for activities that spark natural, student-led discussions. This episode is packed with insights on creating a classroom culture where students feel safe and excited from day one. So whether you're gearing up for a new year or need a mid-year reset, tune in for tips on building a supportive, engaging classroom community.Want to grab the icebreakers mentioned in the episode?Find them in The Behaviour Club, or download them separately here on TPT!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Let’s talk calm corners.They are all the rage, and for good reason.When done right, they teach regulation skills and embed these as part of the classroom culture and shared language.When students understand more about their brains, they’re more likely to be empowered to manage their behaviours and self-regulate. Yes, even in secondary! Especially in secondary! The teenage years are the biggest time for brain development, second only to when we are developing in the womb up until 2 years of age.But a calm corner? Not always a physical and logistical possibility.All I could have managed in my tiny first classroom (and many since then) were front-facing rows, or at a stretch a double-U configuration that I would trip over bags to squeeze behind.Safe to say that no calm corner was being set up.Luckily, a calm corner (ironically) doesn’t need a corner.It doesn’t need a comfy beanbag or a box full of magical fidget spinners.It doesn’t require teachers to fork out hundreds of their own hard-earned dollars, and it doesn’t require a fancy display.Sure, a comfy space would be lovely, but please don’t let it deter you if that’s the furthest thing from a possibility.Your classroom might be too small. You might not even have a classroom of your own and need to drag your things from one side of the school to the other five times a day. You might be a casual teacher who’s desperate to implement some of these strategies but doesn’t think it’s possible.It is possible. And in this episode, I talk you through 3 steps to take in order to set up a calm CULTURE, not just a calm corner!The resources mentioned in today's episode:The Behaviour Club: Learn MoreSEL Lesson: Flipping Your LidRegulation Cards: Your calm corner on the go!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Let me ask you a question, teacher friend...How are you, really?I have thought long and hard about how I view teacher wellbeing, what it is, how we get it, and there are so many factors that we need to consider: How much autonomy and trust you have.The support you’re getting from leadership.The culture of the school.How empowered you feel in your classroom .How confident and masterful you feel.The opportunities that are afforded to you.How fulfilling you feel the work is.But today I wanted to talk about one factor that for me has had the most impact on how I am mentally and emotionally in the day to day in my role as a teacher.One thing that has had the biggest impact on how I have been able to develop professionally.Our teaching village.They say it takes a village as a teacher but what does that mean? It certainly doesn’t just mean having people around us because when I felt my lowest in teaching, I had PLENTY of teachers around me. For me having a village as a teacher needs to be about having like-minded people around us that we can trust to be vulnerable with, ask questions to, bounce ideas off, be inspired and empowered by (and empower them in return). To be able to access support in whatever form needed. To never have your struggles minimised or shrugged off, but heard and validated. This was so pivotal for me, that I am changing the way that I support teachers here at The Unteachables Academy. I am making The Behaviour Club, my teaching village, central to what I offer. TBC is a dynamic community where like-minded teachers can connect, share, and grow together. With masterclasses, resources, and a thriving online network, this club is designed to support educators every step of the way. Click here to join us and become a member of The Behaviour Club!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Welcome back to another episode of The Unteachables Podcast, teacher friends! Today I delve into the final chapter of my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour. If you want to listen to this series from the start, head back to episode 65!Yes, building relationships is important... but dang is it hard with some students! On today's episode I give you practical tips for building connections and establishing felt safety in the classroom, particularly with students who present with challenging behaviours. This episode highlights the crucial role that relationships play in effective classroom management and offers insights for creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.I discuss:The huge barriers that we can face when it comes to developing rapport with some students.The concept of "felt safety" and its importance in building trust with students.Strategies for establishing connections, including the two by ten strategy and catching the positive.The importance of teacher wellbeing and creating supportive work environments for educators.Watch Rita Pearson's TED Talk: "Every Child Needs a Champion" Learn more about Alan Mendler's Two by Ten Strategy here.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Today, I dive into a strategy from Pillar 6 from my newly released book, 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour' which explores the essential connection between quality teaching, learning, and managing challenging classroom behaviours.In this episode, I explore two key reasons why teaching and learning is inextricably linked with classroom management.I dig into how the beliefs and expectations we have about our students can become self-fulfilling prophecies, shaping student behaviour and their sense of self-worth. Why we need to be raising the bar high for all of our students if we want them to succeed, and why sometimes we do the opposite. I also discuss the  strategic approach we need to take to ensure every student can achieve the high standards we set for them. After all, we don't want to set them up for failure either way!In this episode, I discuss: The downwards spiral of low expectations: Recognising and overcoming our own biases about student behaviour and achievement.How our behaviour as educators reinforces these expectations.The feedback loop that affects student outcomes.Why believing in a student's potential is an act of compassion.The importance of providing both challenge and support for optimal learning outcomes.Practical strategies for implementing this balanced approach in your classroom (it really is like Goldilocks and the three bears!)The concept of scaffolding and its role in student success.Practical tips like the "me, we, you" process to implement scaffolding effectively.+ Much more!So, if you're looking for actionable strategies to enhance your teaching practice and proactively classroom manage, this episode is a must-listen.Other related episodes to listen to:Episode 28: "Are You Setting Your Students Up for Success or Failure Without Even Realizing It?"Episode 22: "Why Your Students Might Be Rewarding or Punishing You with Their Behaviour: A Discussion on the Insidious Pedagogy of Poverty."If you haven't yet, you can grab a copy of my book "It’s Never Just About the Behaviour" by heading to:Amazon AustraliaAmazon UKAmazon USOR googling the book title in your home country so the best way to purchase pops up!If you've already read the book, leaving a positive review would mean the world to me. Email or direct message me a screenshot and receive 13 beautiful posters of the book illustrations as a thank you!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

This week, I dive into Pillar 5 of "It's Never Just About the Behavior." In this episode, I emphasize the importance of clarity in your holistic classroom management approach, and provide practical strategies to ensure students understand and meet expectations.Today I discuss:The Importance of Clarity in Expectations:Why clear communication is crucial for student successHow assumptions about student knowledge can lead to misunderstandings and a whole bunch of chaosGet Ready, Get Set, Go Strategy: A step-by-step guide to delivering effective instructionsExamples of how to implement this strategy in various classroom scenariosToday's episode is based on Pillar 5 of my book It's Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour managementLeave me a review for the book and send me a screenshot and I will send you 13 posters of the beautiful illustrations to pop up in your staffroom or office! Thank you so much, your kind reviews mean so much and help me reach more educators!Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Consistency in classroom management is more than just a routine; it’s a pathway to creating an "island of safety" for your students. From the moment students walk into the classroom to the way lessons are structured, consistency can significantly reduce anxiety and foster a supportive learning environment.In this episode, I delve into the fourth pillar from my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour, focusing on proactive classroom management through increased predictability and consistency.Listen in as I discuss how teachers can create a neurologically safe learning environment for their students. I explain how predictability helps regulate students neurologically, making them feel safer and more prepared. This sense of security is crucial for mitigating challenging behaviours and creating an atmosphere conducive to learning.To help you implement these strategies immediately, I outline how to establish a strong, predictable, and calm start to lessons. After all, if you win the start of the lesson, the rest becomes much easier.Here are some of my favourite routines to start a lesson on a calm and positive note (and the ones I walk you through in this episode):Welcoming students with predictability and consistency.Using seating plans as a proactive, rather than reactive, strategy.Using learning maps to enhance students' ability to anticipate upcoming activities, ultimately decreasing anxiety and the stress response.Providing a consistent, quality, accessible, and concept-driven starter activity.I discuss all of these in depth in Pillar 4 of my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour.The biggest takeaway? Understanding that reducing the activation of the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for the fight, flight, or freeze response—leads to an immediate decrease in challenging behaviours. One of the best ways to achieve this as a teacher and create a calmer, more focused learning environment is by following the golden rule: "minimize the unknown."Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Welcome to today's episode where I dive deep into Pillar 3 of my upcoming book, "It's Never Just About the Behaviour." This pillar focuses on the importance of compassion in classroom management, but not in the way you might expect.I will explore actionable, compassionate pedagogy that moves beyond traditional exclusionary practices.In this episode, I cover:How my challenging school experience shaped my teaching philosophy and the struggle of becoming the teacher I didn’t want to be and how I overcame it.Differentiating discipline from punishment and consequences.Steps to engage in meaningful conversations with students, and the importance of suitable consequences that follow Jane Nelson's three Rs of logical consequences: related, respectful, and reasonable.Why being  compassionate in classroom management means more than just being kind; it's about equipping ourselves with effective, value-driven strategies.Links and resources mentioned in the episode:Download the free guide: 71 Behaviour Response PromptsJoin the waitlist for The Behaviour ClubPreorder my book, "It's Never Just About the Behaviour"  Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website

Welcome to this week’s episode! If you missed last week, head back and catch up, because this is week 2 of digging into pillars from my new book, It’s Never Just About the Behaviour, which is available for pre-order and will be released at the end of June/start of July. In this episode, I'll be focusing on Pillar 2: Be Calm. One of the most impactful tools in our classroom management arsenal is maintaining a sense of stillness and calm, even in a chaotic environment. A strong teaching presence is built on the foundation of regulation—what we want from our students, we need to model ourselves.I'll be discussing:Strategies to stay regulated in a dysregulated environment.How to craft a strong, calm teaching persona.A 5-step non-verbal roadmap to respond to low-level behaviours.I'll also delve into the importance of awareness in avoiding the vicious cycle of reactive classroom management. Drawing from my early career experiences, I’ll share how frantic and heated responses only led to more chaos and how many teachers, lacking proper training, fall into this reactive cycle.Breaking this cycle starts with us. We need to be the calm conductors in our classrooms. I’ll provide insights into how to recognise signs of dysregulation in ourselves and techniques to regain control, such as pausing, deep breathing, and relaxing our shoulders. Additionally, I’ll highlight the value of mentorship in identifying and addressing these signs.Tune in to learn how to mitigate challenging behaviours through self-regulation and establishing a calm, effective classroom environment.Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT: Shop all resources Join The Behaviour Club My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change' Connect with me: Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables Check out my website